Air filter

ABSTRACT

An air filter including a base and a first and second frame element is disclosed. Each frame element is coupled to the base. The frame elements have an oscillating shape having a first portion relatively close to the base and a second portion relatively farther from the base. A filter element generally follows the oscillating shape of the frame elements. An air filter system is also disclosed. The air filter system can include the air filter and an air filter container. The air filter container contains the air filter and directs air through the air filter in a predetermined direction. An air filter is disclosed including a support structure and an oscillating shaped filter element attached to the support structure. The oscillating shape increases the air filter surface area for a given volume.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is generally related to filter devices. Morespecifically, the field of the invention is related to air filters.

BACKGROUND

An air filter designed to remove particulate is generally a devicecomposed of fibrous materials. These fibrous materials may remove solidparticulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. Airfilters are used in applications where air quality is important, notablyin building ventilation systems and in engines.

Air filters may be used in automobiles, trucks, tractors, locomotivesand other vehicles that use internal combustion engines. Air filters maybe used with gasoline engines, diesel engines, or other engines that runon fossil fuels or other combustible substances. Air filters may be usedwith engines in which combustion is intermittent, such as four-strokeand two-stroke piston engines, as well as other types of engines thattake in air so that a combustible substance may be burned. For example,air filters may be used with some gas turbines. Filters may also be usedwith air compressors or in other devices that take in air.

Filters may be made from pleated paper, foam, cotton, spun fiberglass,or other known filter materials. Generally the air intakes of internalcombustion engines and compressors tend to use either: paper, foam, orcotton filters. Some filters use an oil bath. Air filters for internalcombustion engines prevents abrasive particulate matter from enteringthe engine's cylinders, where it would cause mechanical wear and oilcontamination. In many fuel injected engines you may find a flat panelpleated paper filter element. This filter is usually placed inside aplastic box connected to the throttle body with ductwork. Vehicles thatuse carburetors or throttle body fuel injection typically use acylindrical air filter positioned above the carburetor or throttle body.

Air filters may also be used to filter cabin air filter, for example, avehicle such as a car, truck, airplane, bus, train, tractor, etc. Theseair filters may typically be a pleated-paper filter that brings inoutside-air and filters it for the vehicle's passenger compartment. Someof these filters are rectangular and similar in shape to the combustionair filter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an air filter. Additionally, the presentinvention may provide an air filter system and methods of using the airfilter.

To this end, the embodiment can be shaped to increase surface area for agiven volume.

To this end, in a exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an airfilter comprising: a base; a first and second frame element, each frameelement coupled to the base and having an oscillating shape having afirst portion relatively close to the base and a second portionrelatively farther from the base; and a filter element that generallyfollows the oscillating shape of the frame elements.

In an exemplary embodiment, the frame elements are curved between thefirst and second portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the frame elements have a generallysinusoidal shape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the frame elements are the same size andshape.

In an exemplary embodiment, frame elements and the base are formed as asingle assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the filter element comprises of a pleatedpaper filter element.

In an exemplary embodiment, further comprising a reinforcing device.

In an exemplary embodiment, reinforcing device comprises a pair of wirescreens on opposite sides of the filter element.

In an exemplary embodiment, an air filter system comprising: an airfilter including: a base; a first and second frame element, each frameelement coupled to the base and having an oscillating shape having afirst portion relatively close to the base and a second portionrelatively farther from the base; and a filter element that generallyfollows the oscillating shape of the frame elements; an air filtercontainer, containing the air filter, the air filter containerconfigured to direct air through the air filter in a predetermineddirection.

In an exemplary embodiment, the frame elements are curved between thefirst and second portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the frame elements have a generallysinusoidal shape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the frame elements are the same size andshape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the frame elements the base and the frameelements are formed as a single assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the reinforcing device comprises a pair ofwire screens on opposite sides of the filter element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the air filter container directs air throughthe air filter in a direction perpendicular to a flat base, the airentering from the base side and exiting the filter assembly in adirection through the filter element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the air filter container directs air throughan air filter in a direction perpendicular to a flat base, the airentering through the filter element and exiting from the base side.

In an exemplary embodiment, the air filter container flows through theair filter in a direction parallel to a flat base such that air isfiltered by the filter element multiple times.

In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the air filter container directs airthrough an air filter at an angle to a flat base such that air isfiltered by the filter element multiple times.

In an exemplary embodiment, an air filter comprising: a supportstructure; and an oscillating shaped filter element attached to thesupport structure, the oscillating shape increasing the air filtersurface area for a given volume.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be curved in anoscillating shape when viewed from the side. As used herein, the phrase“oscillating shape” refers to a generally curved shape that at least onepoint is generally more near a base and another point is further fromthe base or, more generally, a curving shape that provides a relativelylarge surface area in a given volume of the filter. As used herein“oscillating” does not imply movement of the filter.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be curved in agenerally sinusoidal shape when viewed from the side. For purposes ofthis application “sinusoidal shape” should not be interpreted to onlymean a shape that strictly follows a cosine or sine function, but ratherany shape that generally oscillates from a low area to a high area (whenviewed from a side of the filter) in a generally curved or circularfashion.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may have a frame witha flat base and generally sinusoidal shaped frame attached to thegenerally flat base.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example filter includes a filter elementheld by a generally sinusoidal shaped frame attached to a generally flatbase.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example filter includes a generally flatbase that is wider that the rest of the filter assembly, including agenerally sinusoidal shaped frame and a filter element held by theframe.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example filter system directs air throughan air filter in a direction perpendicular to a flat base, the airentering from the base and exiting the filter assembly in a directionthrough the filter element.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example filter system directs air throughan air filter in a direction perpendicular to a flat base, the airentering through the filter element and exiting from the base.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example filter system directs air throughan air filter in a direction parallel to a flat base such that air isfiltered by the filter element multiple times.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example filter system directs air throughan air filter at an angle to a flat base such that air is filtered bythe filter element multiple times.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter further includes asupport that holds the filter element against the flow of air. Forexample, a wire screen may generally follow the contour of the filterand be located on the side of the filter opposite the frame for filtersdesigned to be used in filter systems that directs air through an airfilter in a direction perpendicular to a flat base and entering at thebase and exiting the filter assembly in a direction through the filterelement. The wire screen or other known filter reinforcing device cangenerally be placed against the filter element opposite the flow of air.

In an exemplary embodiment, the side of the filter element that a filterreinforcing device such as a wire screen is placed on an alternate fromside to side to reinforce against air as it flows through a filtermultiple times in a direction parallel to the base.

In an exemplary embodiment, a filter reinforcing device such as a wirescreen can be placed on both sides of the filter element to allow fordifferent air flow directions.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be designed toremove particulate from the air.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be composed offibrous materials that may remove solid particulates such as dust,pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be used inapplications where air quality is important such as building ventilationsystems and engines.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be designed to beused in automobiles, trucks, tractors, locomotives and other vehiclesthat use internal combustion engines.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be designed to beused with gasoline engines, diesel engines, or other engines that run onfossil fuels or other combustible substances.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be designed to beused with engines in which combustion is intermittent, such asfour-stroke and two-stroke piston engines, as well as other types ofengines that take in air so that a combustible substance may be burned.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be designed to beused with some gas turbines.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be designed to beused with air compressors or in other devices that take in air.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be designed to bemade from pleated paper, foam, cotton, spun fiberglass, or other knownfilter materials.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be designed toprevent abrasive particulate matter from entering the device using theair filter.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be a curving panelof a pleated paper filter element.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be designed foruse to filter cabin air in, for example, a vehicle such as a car, truck,airplane, bus, train, tractor, etc.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a filter in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a frame side view of a filter in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a filter element side view of a filter in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a filter in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a frame side view of a filter system in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a frame side view of a filter system in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a frame side view of a filter system in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

It will be understood that the terms “top,” “side,” and “bottom” used todescribe FIGS. 1-5 are intended to provide a frame of reference forpurposes of describing embodiments of the air filter. The actualorientation of the air filter in use and the direction of air flow mayvary.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of preferred embodiments, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which itis shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments can be used and structural changes can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the embodiments of this invention.

Although embodiments of the invention may be described and illustratedherein in terms of a single example air filter, it should be understoodthat embodiments of this invention are not limited to the exact shapeillustrated, but rather, include a wide variety of generally curvedshapes, generally sinusoidal shapes, or generally curving shapes thatprovides a relatively large surface area in a given volume of thefilter.

An air filter including a base and a first and second frame element isdisclosed. Each frame element is coupled to the base. The frame elementshave an oscillating shape having a first portion relatively close to thebase and a second portion relatively farther from the base. A filterelement generally follows the oscillating shape of the frame elements.An air filter system is also disclosed. The air filter system caninclude an air filter and an air filter container. The air filtercontainer contains the air filter and directs air through the air filterin a predetermined direction. An air filter is disclosed including asupport structure and an oscillating shaped filter element attached tothe support structure. The oscillating shape provides for an increasedair filter surface area for a given volume.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter 100 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the systems and methods described herein. Theair filter 100 includes a base 102 which may be a generally straight,flat portion of the filter. It will be understood, however, that othershapes for the base 100 are possible. For example, in anotherembodiment, a base might generally follow the curvature of the frame.

Filter 100 further includes a first frame element 104 and a second frameelement 106. Each frame element 104, 106 is coupled to the base 102. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the frame elements 104, 106 each have anoscillating shape having first portions 108 relatively close to the baseand second portions 110 relatively farther from the base. The frameelements 104, 106 are curved between the first and second portion. Forexample, the frame elements can have a generally sinusoidal shape.Additionally, the frame elements 104, 106 may generally be the same sizeand shape as illustrated in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, the frameelements 104, 106 and the base 102 are formed as a single assembly.

Filter 100 also includes a filter element 112 that generally follows theoscillating shape of the frame elements 104, 106. Filter 100 can furtherinclude a reinforcing device such as a wire screen. A pair of wirescreens on opposite sides of the filter element 112 might be used insome embodiments, to allow for airflows in a variety of directions usingthe same filter. Other embodiments might include a reinforcing devicedesigned for a specific air flow. The filter element 112 can include apleated paper filter element or other filter materials, such as foam,cotton, spun fiberglass, other known filter materials, or combinationsof such materials.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a filter 100 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment. The view illustrates pleats 114, 116, 118 in the filtermaterial 112. Frame elements 104, 106 are also illustrated. In anexemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be curved in anoscillating shape when viewed from the side. An example air filter maybe curved in a generally sinusoidal shape when viewed from the side.Additionally, an example air filter may have a frame with a flat baseand generally sinusoidal shaped frame attached to the generally flatbase. A filter can include a filter element held by a generallysinusoidal shaped frame attached to a generally flat base.

FIG. 3 is a frame side view of a filter 100 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment. As illustrated the frame elements 104, 106 offilter 100 may be curved in an oscillating shape when viewed from theside. As used herein, the phrase “oscillating shape” refers to agenerally curved shape that at least one point is generally more near abase and at another point is further from the base or, more generally, agenerally curving shape that provides a relatively large surface area ina given volume of the filter. As used herein “oscillating” does notimply movement of the filter.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be curved in agenerally sinusoidal shape when viewed from the side. For purposes ofthis application “sinusoidal shape” should not be interpreted to onlymean a shape that strictly follows a cosine or sine function, but ratherany shape that generally oscillates from a low area to a high area (whenviewed from a side of the filter) in a generally curved or circularfashion.

FIG. 4 is a filter element 112 side view of a filter 100 in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a filter 100 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment. Note that the base 102 is opento allow for air flow.

FIG. 6 is a frame side view of a filter system 600 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment. An air filter system can include an air filter 604as described with respect to FIGS. 1-5. The filter system 600 can alsoinclude an air filter container 602, containing the air filter 604. Theair filter container 602 is configured to direct air through the airfilter in a predetermined direction. For example, as illustrated in FIG.6, the system 600 directs air through an air filter 604 in a directionperpendicular to a flat base 606, the air entering from the base 606side and exiting the filter assembly in a direction through the filterelement 608.

FIG. 7 is a frame side view of a filter system 700 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, an air filtercontainer 702 directs air through an air filter 704 in a directionperpendicular to a flat base 706. The air enters through the filterelement 708 and exiting through base 706 side.

FIG. 8 is a frame side view of a filter system 800 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment. As illustrated, the air filter assembly 800includes a container 802 that directs air through the air filter 804 ina direction parallel to a flat base 802 such that air is filtered by thefilter element 808 multiple times.

A system using a set up that filters the air multiple times may beuseful in applications where air quality is important such as buildingventilation systems and engines. In an exemplary embodiment, an exampleair filter may be designed to be used in automobiles, trucks, tractors,locomotives and other vehicles that use internal combustion engines. Inan exemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be designed for useto filter cabin air, for example, a vehicle such as a car, truck,airplane, bus, train, tractor, etc.

For example, an air filter may be designed to be used with gasolineengines, diesel engines, or other engines that run on fossil fuels orother combustible substances. Another example air filter may be designedto be used with engines in which combustion is intermittent, such asfour-stroke and two-stroke piston engines, as well as other types ofengines that take in air so that a combustible substance may be burned.The systems and methods described herein might be applied for use withsome gas turbines, air compressors, or in other devices that take inair. The systems and methods can be designed to prevent abrasiveparticulate matter from entering the device using the air filter. In anexemplary embodiment, an example air filter may be a curving panel of apleated paper filter element. Other filters may use different materialsor combinations of materials.

As discussed herein, the air filter system may further include areinforcing device such as a wire screen. For example, the reinforcingdevice may include a pair of wire screens on opposite sides of thefilter element to allow the air filter to operate with air flows in avariety of directions. It will be understood that the reinforcing devicecan generally be placed on a side where the air exits the filtermaterial. For example, referring back to FIG. 6, the reinforcing device(e.g., wire screen) can be on the same side as reference character 600.As another example, referring back to FIG. 7, the reinforcing device(e.g., wire screen) can be on the opposite side as reference character700. As can be seen by observing the air flow in FIG. 8, it might beadvantageous to use a reinforcing device (e.g., wire screen) on bothsides. Alternatively, reinforcing devices might alternate from side toside, generally being located around 850, 852, 854, and 856.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 the air filter containers 602, 702direct air through the air filters 604, 704 in a direction perpendicularto a flat base. FIG. 8 illustrates a container 802 that directs airthrough the air filter 804 in a direction parallel to a flat base 802.It will be understood, however, that filter containers may be configuredto provide for a variety of air flow angles for use with variousembodiments of the air filters described herein. For example, anotherembodiment may include an air filter container that directs air throughan air filter at an angle to a flat base such that air is filtered bythe filter element multiple times.

In an embodiment of the systems and methods described herein an airfilter can include a support structure and an oscillating shaped filterelement attached to the support structure, the oscillating shapeincreases the air filter surface area for a given volume. Referring backto FIG. 1, a support structure might include a base 102 and frameelements 104, 106 with filter element 112 attached. It will beunderstood, however, that a wide variety of support structures might beused to provide support for the filter element.

Embodiments provide an air filter. Additionally, other embodiments mayprovide an air filter system and methods of using the air filter. In anexample method air might be directed through an air filter shaped toincrease surface area for a given volume. The air might be directedperpendicular to the base of the air filter, parallel to the base of theair filter, or some angle in between.

In an exemplary embodiment, an example filter includes a generally flatbase that is wider that the rest of the filter assembly, including agenerally sinusoidal shaped frame and a filter element held by theframe.

It will be understood that the terms “top,” “side,” and “bottom” used todescribe FIGS. 1-5 are intended to provide a frame of reference forpurposes of describing embodiments of the air filter. The actualorientation of the air filter in use and the direction of air flow mayvary.

Although embodiments of this invention have been fully described withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that variouschanges and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as beingincluded within the scope of embodiments of this invention as defined bythe appended claims.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of modular overhead storagehave been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled inthe art that many more modifications besides those already described arepossible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. Theinventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except inthe spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both thespecification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in thebroadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, theterms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring toelements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicatingthat the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, orutilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that arenot expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to atleast one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, .. . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one elementfrom the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

We claim:
 1. An air filter comprising: a base; a first and second frameelement, each frame element coupled to the base and having anoscillating shape having a first portion relatively close to the baseand a second portion relatively farther from the base; and a filterelement that generally follows the oscillating shape of the frameelements.
 2. The air filter of claim 1, wherein the frame elements arecurved between the first and second portion.
 3. The air filter of claim1, wherein the frame elements have a generally sinusoidal shape.
 4. Theair filter of claim 1, wherein the frame elements are the same size andshape.
 5. The air filter of claim 1, wherein the frame elements and thebase are formed as a single assembly.
 6. The air filter of claim 1,wherein the filter element comprises of a pleated paper filter element.7. The air filter of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing device.8. The air filter of claim 7, wherein the reinforcing device comprises apair of wire screens on opposite sides of the filter element.
 9. An airfilter system comprising: an air filter including: a base; a first andsecond frame element, each frame element coupled to the base and havingan oscillating shape having a first portion relatively close to the baseand a second portion relatively farther from the base; a filter elementthat generally follows the oscillating shape of the frame elements; andan air filter container, containing the air filter, the air filtercontainer configured to direct air through the air filter in apredetermined direction.
 10. The air filter system of claim 9, whereinthe frame elements are curved between the first and second portion. 11.The air filter system of claim 9, wherein the frame elements have agenerally sinusoidal shape.
 12. The air filter system of claim 9,wherein the frame elements are the same size and shape.
 13. The airfilter system of claim 9, wherein the frame elements the base and theframe elements are formed as a single assembly.
 14. The air filtersystem of claim 9, wherein the reinforcing device comprises a pair ofwire screens on opposite sides of the filter element.
 15. The air filtersystem of claim 9, wherein the air filter container directs air throughthe air filter in a direction perpendicular to a flat base, the airentering from the base side and exiting the filter assembly in adirection through the filter element.
 16. The air filter system of claim9, wherein the air filter container directs air through an air filter ina direction perpendicular to a flat base, the air entering through thefilter element and exiting from the base side.
 17. The air filter systemof claim 9, wherein the air filter container flows through the airfilter in a direction parallel to a flat base such that air is filteredby the filter element multiple times.
 18. The air filter system of claim9, wherein the air filter container directs air through an air filter atan angle to a flat base such that air is filtered by the filter elementmultiple times.
 19. An air filter comprising: a support structure; andan oscillating shaped filter element attached to the support structure,the oscillating shape increasing the air filter surface area for a givenvolume.